Iron Gate
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Iron Gate winds it's way from the Market Place to the Dolphin Pub, it's hard to believe this was at one time the main London to Carlisle road which went through the centre of the town!

The east side of Irongate was redeveloped in the late 1800's when the road was widened and as a consequence the buildings on that side are of a later date

Factoids

• Derby’s Joseph Wright, famous for his oil paintings, was born here in 1734

• The cathedral contains the oldest ring of ten bells in the World

• The cathedral has the second tallest tower in the country

Derby Cathedral became a cathedral by Royal Charter in 1927, unusual because Derby remained a town at the time.

The tower dates from 1510 to 1530 and was built in the popular perpendicular gothic style of the time. Treasures include an 18th century nave with a wrought iron screen by Robert Bakewell, the top shown above right, and in full bottom right, and a memorial to Bess of Hardwick, the Cavendish brasses, including those of Henry Cavendish and Georgiana Spencer, the wife of one of the Dukes of Devonshire.

Joseph Wright (September 3, 1734 - August 29, 1797), was an English landscape and portrait painter.

He was born in Derby, the son of an attorney, deciding to become a painter, he went to London in 1751 and for two years studied under Thomas Hudson, the master of Joshua Reynolds. After painting portraits for a while at Derby, he again placed himself for fifteen months under his former master. He then settled in Derby, and varied his work in portraiture by the production of the subjects seen under artificial light with which his name is chiefly associated, and by landscape painting.

He married in 1773, and in the end of that year he visited Italy, where he remained till 1775. While at Naples he witnessed an eruption of Mount Vesuvius, which formed the subject of many of his subsequent pictures. On his return from Italy he established himself at Bath as a portrait-painter; but meeting with little encouragement he returned to Derby, where he spent the rest of his life.

Jorrocks above left, was built in 1648, and was called the George Inn, as Irongate was the main route to London the George was one of the most busiest coaching inns in Derby, The London to Nottingham stage coach ran from the George Inn from 1735, the following year the post office coach also ran from the inn. It was much larger in those days occupying the Foulds music shop. Cock fighting was held in the yard at the back and the patrons watched from a balcony.

The pub is reputed to be haunted and a man in a blue tunic, is often seen walking down the landing and disappearing into the bar area, crockery also moves around in the kitchen and the occasional groan can be heard, scary stuff!

The plaque on the front reads "This building was once a famous coaching Inn known as the George, in 1745 it became the headquarters of the Duke of Devonshire where he raised the Derbyshire blues to combat the invading highland army of prince Charles Edward Stuart , it was to this inn that the van of the princes army arrived on the 4th December 1745 to demand billets for 9000 troops "

This was originally believed to be the town house of the Meynells of Bradley from about 1660, and the building has still  retained its Queen Anne staircase Later this was where John Whitehurst (1713-1788) had his shop, who was an employer of the first John Smith of Derby, Smith later became Derby's famous clockmaker. He left 22 Irongate in 1856 to start his own company at 27 Queen Street, Richard Keene, the renowned Derby photographer, also had his early studio here before moving to larger premises at 24 Irongate. It is now home to Wilsons, "Ye Olde Sweet Shoppe" and Sally Montague with the European restaurant & Bistro occupying the upstairs

Centre picture was the imposing building of Crompton & Evans Union Bank,  it later became the National Westminster Bank and was finally closed in 1993 to become a bar, aptly named "The Standing Order" the picture far right was Irongate house, better known to most as Brigdens, but unfortunately this is also now another bar

This wonderful curved facade was the head Office for Cox & Brownings, the wines and spirits merchants, which were established in 1763, the building comes complete with cellars. They were famous as blenders of the "White Seal" ten year old whisky. This later became the Irongate Tavern and has been renamed several times since, it is now  a Mediterranean style bar and grill called Casa

This ornate building next to Cox & Brownings old premises above and just down from the cathedral was Holloway's clothiers emporium and was built in 1870 and designed by the Ticknall architect George Henry Sheffield, if you look up there are numerous carvings and tiles. It is now Emily Brigdens

This is the junction of Cathedral Road, Irongate and Queen Street, the Dolphin Inn is on the right and in the distance there is a new office block being constructed.

This picture was taken in 1991 when the Dolphin was painted black and white, whereas now it is a cream and brown. The Dolphin Inn is Derby's oldest pub which was built around 1530. An interesting part of the Dolphin Inn is an extension that was added in the 18th century this can be seen on the left hand side of the building on Full Street, which was originally a doctor's house, shown below far right.

Irongate viewed from the top of the cathedral in 1988

In 1991 work began to pedestrianise the area and the picture below left shows the old tram lines that were uncovered during the construction work, the other pictures below show the top of Irongate in 1991 with the work in progress, and were taken in the Market Place looking up Irongate towards the Cathedral.

Irongate 1991

Irongate 1991